Neurofibromatosis (NF1 and NF2)

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Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms depending on the severity of the condition. The manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1) generally appear in early childhood and affect the skin, eyes, bones, veins, and nerves. Symptoms include:

Cafe-au-lait spots (light brown patches of pigment on the skin)

Freckles in the underarm or groin area

Neurofibromas (benign skin tumors that may also be found on nerves and organs)

Lisch nodules (small tumors on the iris), or glaucoma

Hearing loss

Headaches

Seizures

Scoliosis or other bone abnormalities

Facial pain or numbness

Learning disabilities or hyperactivity

Rarely, brain tumors or aneurysms

Symptoms of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) often don’t appear until adolescence or early adulthood and include:

Hearing loss

Headaches

Vision changes

Cataracts

Problems with facial movements

Difficulty with balance and walking

Seizures

Neurofibromas and cafe-au-lait spots

Neurofibromatosis, whether Type 1 or Type 2, is a complicated disorder that is best treated at a major medical center with a multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis Program that ensures each patient a comprehensive treatment plan.